UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged warring factions in Sudan to implement an immediate ceasefire for at least three days to enable trapped civilians to access essential supplies and medical care.
He has called for a break in fighting during the Eid al-Fitr festivities to provide respite from the violence and enable a permanent ceasefire. Guterres’ appeal came following a virtual meeting of the African Union to discuss the crisis in Sudan, which has left hundreds dead and thousands injured.
The UN chief has condemned the targeting of humanitarian workers and assets and reminded the parties of their international obligations.
The crisis has disrupted critical life-saving care for an estimated 50,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition, and the World Food Programme warns that millions more could be pushed into hunger.
Sudan has been in a state of political turmoil since the ouster of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. After his removal, a transitional government was established, but tensions between the military and civilian components of the government have escalated in recent months, culminating in a military coup on 11 April 2023.
The coup was led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s transitional sovereign council, and supported by paramilitary forces, including the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The move came after weeks of protests against the government’s failure to transition to civilian rule and allegations of corruption against top officials.
The coup has been met with widespread condemnation from the international community, and clashes have erupted between the military and civilian protesters, leading to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. The violence has also hampered the delivery of aid to vulnerable populations, leaving many without access to food, water, and medical care.
The situation in Sudan remains highly volatile, with no clear resolution in sight. The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to civilian rule, but the military junta has so far refused to step down.
